Franco: Cheetahs can beat Kiwi teams

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Cape Town - Cheetahs coach Franco Smith insists his side can beat the New Zealand teams in Super Rugby.

The Cheetahs came agonisingly close against the Highlanders in Bloemfontein last Friday, having led 41-24 with five minutes remaining, before conceding three late tries to go down 45-41.

The previous week, the Cheetahs lost 48-21 at home to the Crusaders, while earlier in the season they blew a 24-0 lead to lose 41-27 to the Chiefs.

The Cheetahs are currently on tour in New Zealand where they are preparing for a clash against the Blues in Auckland on Friday.

They will face the Hurricanes in Wellington the following week (May 20), before concluding their tour with a game against the Sunwolves in Tokyo (May 27).

Despite losing to all the Kiwi teams they have faced this year, Smith is confident that the Cheetahs can be competitive on tour.

“We can beat the New Zealand teams. I think it was a big compliment from Crusaders coach (Scott Robertson) to say that we were the toughest opponents on their tour (to South Africa),” Smith told Netwerk24.

“I think we’re doing a lot of things right. We just have to work harder this week to get over the tryline.”